US State Department issued a statement regarding yesterday's elections in Venezuela. The choice of words is very interesting (1):
“The United States stands by the people of Venezuela, and their constitutional representatives, in their quest to restore their country to a full and prosperous democracy.”
“We will continue to take strong and swift actions against the architects of authoritarianism in Venezuela, including those who participate in the national constituent assembly as a result of today’s flawed election.”
According to political scientists and journalists, USA itself - not only President Trump - has become more and more authoritarian. During the spring, Los Angeles Times published a six-part series of editorials where it analyzed President Trump's authoritarian politics. In the third part of the series, the newspaper wrote (2):
"In a way, Trump represents a culmination of trends that have been years
in the making.
Conservative talk radio hosts have long blasted federal judges as 'activists' and regulators as meddlers in the economy, while advancing the myth of rampant election fraud. And gridlock in Washington has led previous presidents to try new ways to circumvent the checks on their power - witness President George W. Bush’s use of signing statements to invalidate parts of bills Congress passed, and President Obama’s aggressive use of executive orders when lawmakers balked at his proposals.
What’s uniquely threatening about Trump’s approach, though, is how many fronts he’s opened in this struggle for power and the vehemence with which he seeks to undermine the institutions that don’t go along."
Christopher Weber, Christopher Federico and Stanley Feldman wrote about the way authoritarianism is shaping US politics (3):
"As political scientists Marc Hetherington and Jonathan Weiler have argued, authoritarianism has become more strongly associated with Americans’ partisanship. Those who value deference to existing norms and authorities are more likely to identify with the Republican Party, while those who value those things less are more likely to identify with the Democratic Party. Hetheringon and Weiler suggest that these trends have arisen as issues where opinions are correlated with authoritarianism - such as terrorism - have become more central to the partisan divide."
Weber, Federico and Feldman predicted (3):
"...the growing salience of authoritarianism in American politics is likely to resonate in many ways - directly shaping attitudes, increasingly cleaving the parties, and ultimately shaping how politicians communicate to a divided American public."
Henry A. Giroux wrote in 2013 (4):
"...Noam Chomsky, Chris Hedges, Sheldon Wolin, Stanley Aronowitz, Judith Butler, Robert Scheer, Jeffrey St. Clair, Matt Taibbi, Angela Davis and David Theo Goldberg, among others, have long recognized the transformation of the United States from a weak democracy to a spirited authoritarian state. All of these theorists have challenged the permanent war economy, the erosion of civil liberties, the power of the corporate state, the moral bankruptcy of the liberal intelligentsia, the corporate control of the media, the criminal wars of repression abroad, the rise of the torture state and the increasing militarization of everyday life.
However extremist the Republican Party has become with its ongoing war on women, immigrants, young people, the welfare state, voting rights and all manner of civil rights, this should not suggest that the Democratic Party occupies a valued liberal position. On the contrary, policy in the United States is now being shaped by
a Democratic Party that has become increasingly more conservative in the last 30 years along with a Republican Party that now represents one of the most extremist political parties to ever seize power in Washington."
"Both parties support bailing out the rich and doing the bidding of corporate lobbyists. Moreover, both parties reject the idea of democracy as a collectively inhabited public space and ethos that unconditionally stands for individual, political and economic rights."
SOURCES:
1) Sibylla Brodzinsky: "Venezuela heading for dictatorship after 'sham' election, warns US amid clashes" The Guardian 31.7.2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/30/fear-of-violence-hangs-over-venezuela-assembly-election
2) Los Angeles Times: "Trump's Authoritarian Vision" 4.4.2017
http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-ed-trumps-authoritarian-vision/
3) Christopher Weber, Christopher Federico and Stanley Feldman: "How authoritarianism is shaping American politics (and it’s not just about Trump)"
The Washington Post 10.5.2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/05/10/how-authoritarianism-is-shaping-american-politics-and-its-not-just-about-trump/?utm_term=.18ae653cfc5b
4) Henry A. Giroux: "Has America Become an Authoritarian State?"
Alternet 25.1.2013
http://www.alternet.org/has-america-become-authoritarian-state
INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATIONIST
29 July 2017
SUPPORT FOR VENEZUELA
The situation in Venezuela has been extremely difficult. Mainstream media seems to have paid attention mostly to the violent demonstrations and casualties, not so much to the US sanctions and other political manoeuvres. Here are some different views.
Peter Koenig attended a press conference hosted by Venezuela's ambassador in Switzerland at the beginning of June. Koenig wrote (1):
"...the Ambassador introduced the issues at stake by explaining that Venezuela today has the largest known oil reserves in the world and the fourth largest deposits of gas; that the US is importing 60% of its lush energy use (a distant first of the globe’s per capita energy users), mostly from the Middle East, where it is subject to long and costly transport (40-45 days), and to many risk factors, including the Gulf of Hormuz, controlled by Iran, where today about one third of all the world’s petrol must pass through.
By contrast, shipments of petroleum from Venezuela across the Caribbean to the refineries in Texas takes only 4-5 days.
This is the main reason why Venezuela is in the White House’s crosshairs, plus,
of course, the fact that for Washington it is totally intolerable to have a sovereign socialist Republic in its ‘backyard’ – and so close, the same syndrome applies also for Cuba, a genuinely successful socialist nation, having survived almost sixty years of atrocious and criminal American strangulation. There is no tolerance for sovereign independent countries that do not bend to the dictate of the United States and her behind the scene handlers."
Sources:
6) Gregory Wilbert: "Time for the “International Left” to Take a Stand on Venezuela" Counterpunch 17.7.2017
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/07/17/time-for-the-international-left-to-take-a-stand-on-venezuela/
Peter Koenig attended a press conference hosted by Venezuela's ambassador in Switzerland at the beginning of June. Koenig wrote (1):
"...the Ambassador introduced the issues at stake by explaining that Venezuela today has the largest known oil reserves in the world and the fourth largest deposits of gas; that the US is importing 60% of its lush energy use (a distant first of the globe’s per capita energy users), mostly from the Middle East, where it is subject to long and costly transport (40-45 days), and to many risk factors, including the Gulf of Hormuz, controlled by Iran, where today about one third of all the world’s petrol must pass through.
By contrast, shipments of petroleum from Venezuela across the Caribbean to the refineries in Texas takes only 4-5 days.
This is the main reason why Venezuela is in the White House’s crosshairs, plus,
of course, the fact that for Washington it is totally intolerable to have a sovereign socialist Republic in its ‘backyard’ – and so close, the same syndrome applies also for Cuba, a genuinely successful socialist nation, having survived almost sixty years of atrocious and criminal American strangulation. There is no tolerance for sovereign independent countries that do not bend to the dictate of the United States and her behind the scene handlers."
The relationship between Venezuela and USA has become more and more antagonistic and the two countries haven't had full ambassadorial relations since 2010. When USA imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2014 on grounds of human rights violations, some political analysts were sceptical. Mark Weisbrot, director of Center for Economic and Policy Research, said that the sanctions would serve only "as an annoyance that further weakens US credibility among its American neighbors." He added (2):
"Of course it has absolutely nothing to do with human rights, as everyone knows."
“Ironically, it comes at a time when almost everyone sees that more than half
a century of sanctions against Cuba have failed, and the Obama administration has worse relations with Latin America than any previous administration including Bush, and is even more isolated than ever before on Cuba.”
Right-wing US congressmen have wanted to destabilise President Maduro.
David Smilde from Washington Office on Latin America predicted in 2014 (2):
“With the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, it should not surprise
if there will be more measures to tighten the screws on the Maduro government in the coming years.”
"Of course it has absolutely nothing to do with human rights, as everyone knows."
“Ironically, it comes at a time when almost everyone sees that more than half
a century of sanctions against Cuba have failed, and the Obama administration has worse relations with Latin America than any previous administration including Bush, and is even more isolated than ever before on Cuba.”
Right-wing US congressmen have wanted to destabilise President Maduro.
David Smilde from Washington Office on Latin America predicted in 2014 (2):
“With the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, it should not surprise
if there will be more measures to tighten the screws on the Maduro government in the coming years.”
Now USA has been considering new financial sanctions on Venezuela, if President Maduro will go ahead with the Constituent Assembly election tomorrow, on the 30th of July (3,4). Brazil, United Nations, European Union and the Organization of American States (OAS) have demanded that Venezuela should drop plans for
the assembly (4). There have been concerns that Venezuela is on the edge of civil war after "the fake referendum" on the 20th of July (5). Gregory Wilbert called on "international left" to take a stand on Venezuela (6):
"The possibility of civil war becomes more likely as long the international media obscure who is responsible for the violence and as long as the international left remains on the sidelines in this conflict and fails to show solidarity with the Bolivarian socialist movement in Venezuela."
the assembly (4). There have been concerns that Venezuela is on the edge of civil war after "the fake referendum" on the 20th of July (5). Gregory Wilbert called on "international left" to take a stand on Venezuela (6):
"The possibility of civil war becomes more likely as long the international media obscure who is responsible for the violence and as long as the international left remains on the sidelines in this conflict and fails to show solidarity with the Bolivarian socialist movement in Venezuela."
Former Venezuelan ambassador Julio Escalona said that some of the diplomatic tactics that are being used against President Maduro are similar to those used against former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (7):
"They are applying here, in some sense, the Libyan model. They succeeded in having the Arab League condemn Libya, they managed to isolate it diplomatically. Once isolated, it took to the Security Council and condemned Libya. That is what they wanted in Venezuela."
"They wanted the OAS to condemn Venezuela to then apply everything that has
the imperial plan and that is why they invented the plebiscite, the so-called popular consultation.”
The former ambassador continued, that USA hasn't been able to attack Venezuela the same way because Venezuela isn't isolated internationally. Venezuela has been working closely with several international organizations. Russia, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador and many other countries have expressed their support for President Maduro (7).
the imperial plan and that is why they invented the plebiscite, the so-called popular consultation.”
The former ambassador continued, that USA hasn't been able to attack Venezuela the same way because Venezuela isn't isolated internationally. Venezuela has been working closely with several international organizations. Russia, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador and many other countries have expressed their support for President Maduro (7).
In the summit last week, the presidents of the Southern Common Market, Mercosur, had plans to threat to expel Venezuela from the organization and to demand that President Maduro should suspend the elections for the Constituent Assembly. However, the presidents backed away from the threat and only issued a declaration where they called on both Venezuelan government and opposition "not to take any initiative that could divide Venezuelan society even more, or aggravate institutional conflicts." The president of Bolivia Evo Morales did not sign the declaration. He had stated in the summit earlier (8):
"Our obligation as a region is to avoid any foreign intrusion, any intervention."
"For nobody is it hidden or a secret that behind the political problems of Venezuela is the United States. Behind this blow to Maduro are economic interests that are looking for Venezuelan oil."
During the Mercosur summit in Mendoza, Argentina, social movements at
the People's Summit gave their full support to Venezuela. The Venezuelan ambassador to Argentina, Carlos Eduardo Martinez, said to the alternative forum delegates (9):
the People's Summit gave their full support to Venezuela. The Venezuelan ambassador to Argentina, Carlos Eduardo Martinez, said to the alternative forum delegates (9):
"We must keep in mind that what is happening today in the continent, especially in Venezuela, is an imperialist attack that has as fundamental objective to recolonize us, to end our sovereignty and to take possession of all the abundant natural resources with which our countries count."
Last Friday, member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) released a statement where they rejected US interventionist threats against Venezuela (10):
"ALBA countries reject those countries that not only ignore the Venezuelan legal system and the constitutional and legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro, but also put at risk the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.”
"[The imposition of sanctions] constitutes a clear violation of international law and
an unacceptable interventionist application of U.S. law.”
an unacceptable interventionist application of U.S. law.”
"[The sanctions] do not contribute to the resolution of the situation that the country is going through."
1) Peter Koenig: "Why is Venezuela in the White House's Crosshairs?"
Global Research 11.6.2017
Global Research 11.6.2017
2) Jonathan Watts: "Venezuela to face US sanctions over violence against protesters" The Guardian 12.12.2014
3) CNBC: "US weighs financial sanctions to hit Venezuela's oil revenue, sources say" 21.7.2017
4) Al Jazeera: "Maduro's July 30 vote to go ahead amid Trump threat" 19.7.2017
5) David W. Pear: "Venezuela on the Edge of Civil War" Counterpunch 25.7.2017
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/07/17/time-for-the-international-left-to-take-a-stand-on-venezuela/
7) Telesur: "Global Support for Venezuela Deters US Attacks: Ex-Ambassador" 21.7.2017
8) Telesur: "Mercosur Backs Away from Threat to Expel Venezuela" 21.7.2017
9) Telesur: "People's Summit Expresses Support for Venezuela" 20.7.2017
10) Telesur: "Bolivarian Alliance Rejects US Threats Against Venezuela" 22.7.2017
27 July 2017
GAY RIGHTS IN THE WORLD
There is an interesting article and map about gay rights in the world in today's
The Guardian.
Read the full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/gay-relationships-still-criminalised-countries-report
The Guardian.
Read the full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/gay-relationships-still-criminalised-countries-report
24 July 2017
HATE GROUPS IN HUNGARY
Athena Institute has created a map of hate groups operating in Hungary.
Link to the Hate Groups Map:
http://www.athenainstitute.eu/en/map/
Link to the Hate Groups Map:
http://www.athenainstitute.eu/en/map/
22 July 2017
PALESTINE - "THE GREATEST MORAL ISSUE OF OUR TIME"
"Palestine is the greatest moral issue of our time."
- Nelson Mandela
This summer Israel is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the six-day war. However, for Palestinians it has meant 50 years of occupation. Peter Beaumont wrote in
The Guardian in May (1):
"[Palestinians] will be reflecting on 50 years of military occupation, and the fact that, despite the Oslo peace process of the 1990s, the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the rounds of talks, and the endless lip service paid by both the international community and Israeli and Palestinian leaders, a two-state solution appears further away than ever."
Several international organizations have condemned the situation. In March, United Nations organization Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) published a report which concluded:
"The weight of the evidence supports beyond a reasonable doubt the contention that Israel is guilty of imposing an apartheid regime on the Palestinian people."
USA and Israel demanded that the report is withdrawn. The head of the ESCWA, Rima Khalaf, refused to withdraw the report and resigned from her UN position in protest. The report was deleted from UN website. (2)
John Pilger wrote (3):
"...the longest occupation and resistance in modern times is not recognized. When the United Nations suddenly stirs and defines Israel as an apartheid state, as it did this year, there is outrage – not against a state whose “core purpose” is racism but against a U.N. commission that dared break the silence."
In June, UN Secretary-General António Guterres released a statement and called for an end to the occupation (4):
"This occupation has imposed a heavy humanitarian and development burden on the Palestinian people. Among them are generation after generation of Palestinians who have been compelled to grow-up and live in ever more crowded refugee camps, many in abject poverty, and with little or no prospect of a better life for their children."
"Ending the occupation that began in 1967 and achieving a negotiated two-state outcome is the only way to lay the foundations for enduring peace that meets Israeli security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty. It is the only way to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people."
Also UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein called for an end to Israel's occupation in Palestine. Former UN undersecretary for humanitarian affairs Jan Egeland said (5):
"This 50-year-old festering wound is a reflection of a capitulation of Israeli, Palestinian and international leadership in the search for peace and reconciliation."
"Two generations have already lived under occupation and in mounting disillusionment and despair. Both Palestinian and Israeli children are denied a future in peace and security."
Human Rights Watch criticized Israel's actions during the occupation (6):
Oxfam released a media briefing where it condemned Israel's actions (7):
"After 50 years, the charge sheet against Israel for flagrant and continuing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law is long. It includes forced displacement, destruction of homes and other property, illegal night raids, restriction of movement, confiscation of land, building the separation wall, collective punishment of civilians living under blockade in Gaza, confiscation, destruction of and failure to provide humanitarian aid, disproportionate use of force, and damage and denial of basic needs like health care and clean water."
"Israel has the right to ensure its own security, but this provides no legal or moral justification for the annexation of territory that is not part of Israel, or for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The international community’s inaction gives a dangerous signal: that international law can be violated with impunity.
The conditions for achieving peace and prosperity for Palestinians living under occupation, discrimination and abuse can only be achieved if Israel is held to account for its systematic violations of international law, and if the occupation ends. Until then, the status quo will remain."
In his poignant article (3), John Pilger used another quote from Nelson Mandela:
"We know only too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom
of the Palestinians."
Pilger continued:
"At the heart of the Middle East is the historic injustice in Palestine. Until that is resolved, and Palestinians have their freedom and homeland, there will be no peace in the region, or perhaps anywhere.
What Mandela was saying is that freedom itself is precarious while powerful governments can deny justice to others, terrorize others, imprison and kill others, in our name. Israel certainly understands the threat that one day it might have to be normal."
Sources:
1) Peter Beaumont: "The six-day war: why Israel is still divided over its legacy 50 years on" The Guardian 21.5.2017
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/20/six-day-war-israel-still-divided-over-legacy-50-years-on
2) Jakob Reimann: "Israel Is an Apartheid State (Even If the UN Report Has Been Withdrawn)" Foreign Policy Journal 31.3.2017
https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2017/03/31/israel-is-an-apartheid-state-even-if-the-un-report-has-been-withdrawn/
3) John Pilger: "Why Palestine Is Still the Issue"
Telesur 19.7.2017
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/Why-Palestine-Is-Still-the-Issue-20170719-0016.html
4) "Statement of the Secretary-General on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the 50 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory" United Nations 5.6.2017
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2017-06-05/statement-secretary-general-occasion-anniversary-1967-arab-israeli
5) Peter Beaumont: "UN human rights chief calls for end to Israel's occupation of Palestine" The Guardian 6.6.2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/06/un-human-rights-council-israel-occupation-palestine
6) Human Rights Watch: "Israel: 50 Years of Occupation Abuses" 4.6.2017
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/04/israel-50-years-occupation-abuses
7) Oxfam Media Briefing 1.6.2017
https://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/file_attachments/mb_no-end-in-sight-occupied-palestinian-territory_en.pdf
21 July 2017
HATE GROUPS IN USA
Southern Poverty Law Center has created Hate Map where you can see the location of 917 hate groups that are currently operating in USA.
Link to the Hate Map:
https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map
Link to the Hate Map:
https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map
19 July 2017
THE ELDERS LAUNCH GLOBAL ANTI-HATE CAMPAIGN
Nelson Mandela founded The Elders, a group of world leaders working for peace and human rights, on his birthday on the 18th of July 2007. To mark the group's 10th anniversary, The Elders launched global anti-hate campaign called Walk Together.
Read the full story on Africanews.com:
http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/19/mandela-s-10-year-old-baby-launches-anti-hate-campaign/
More news and information about the Nelson Mandela International Day:
"Nelson Mandela International Day in perspective" (Africanews.com 19.7.2017):
http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/19/nelson-mandela-international-day-in-perspective/
Mandela Day
https://www.mandeladay.com/
Read the full story on Africanews.com:
http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/19/mandela-s-10-year-old-baby-launches-anti-hate-campaign/
More news and information about the Nelson Mandela International Day:
"Nelson Mandela International Day in perspective" (Africanews.com 19.7.2017):
http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/19/nelson-mandela-international-day-in-perspective/
Mandela Day
https://www.mandeladay.com/
18 July 2017
STRATFOR FOUNDER GEORGE FRIEDMAN'S THOUGHTS ABOUT U.S. GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGIES
I came across some quite interesting thoughts from George Friedman, the founder and former CEO of Stratfor which has been referred to as "the Shadow CIA" by Barron's (1). Mr. Friedman expressed his views during a discussion on the emerging crisis in Europe - the discussion took place during spring 2015 (2).
Among many things, Mr. Friedman spoke about the USA as a superpower and "empire":
"The United States has a fundamental interest, it controls all the oceans of the world, no power has ever done that. Because of that, we get to invade people and they don’t get to invade us, that is a very nice thing. Maintaining control of the sea and control of space is the foundation of our power. The best way to defeat an enemy fleet is to not let it be built."
"...empires that are directly governed by the empire like the Nazi Empire failed. No one has that much power. You have to have a level of cleverness. However, our problem is not yet that, it is actually admitting that we have an empire."
When asked, if Islamic extremism is really the major threat to the United States,
Mr. Friedman answered:
"It is a problem to the United States, it is not an existential threat. It has to be dealt with, but it has to be dealt with proportionately. We have other foreign policy interests. So, the primordial interest of the United States over which for centuries we have fought wars, the first, second and cold war has been the relationship between Germany and Russia. Because united they are the only force that could threaten us, and to make sure that that doesn’t happen."
Later on, Mr. Friedman continued on this subject:
"For the United States, the primordial fear is Russian capital, Russian technology,
I mean German technology and German capital, Russian natural resources and Russian manpower as the only combination that has for centuries scared the hell out of the United States."
Sources:
1) International Business Times (26.2.2012):
http://www.ibtimes.com/wikileaks-reveal-e-mails-inside-private-shadow-cia-416500
2) Uaposition.com (5.4.2015):
http://uaposition.com/stratfor-founder-and-ceo-george-friedman-about-europe-ukraine-and-us-military-power/
Among many things, Mr. Friedman spoke about the USA as a superpower and "empire":
"The United States has a fundamental interest, it controls all the oceans of the world, no power has ever done that. Because of that, we get to invade people and they don’t get to invade us, that is a very nice thing. Maintaining control of the sea and control of space is the foundation of our power. The best way to defeat an enemy fleet is to not let it be built."
"...empires that are directly governed by the empire like the Nazi Empire failed. No one has that much power. You have to have a level of cleverness. However, our problem is not yet that, it is actually admitting that we have an empire."
When asked, if Islamic extremism is really the major threat to the United States,
Mr. Friedman answered:
"It is a problem to the United States, it is not an existential threat. It has to be dealt with, but it has to be dealt with proportionately. We have other foreign policy interests. So, the primordial interest of the United States over which for centuries we have fought wars, the first, second and cold war has been the relationship between Germany and Russia. Because united they are the only force that could threaten us, and to make sure that that doesn’t happen."
Later on, Mr. Friedman continued on this subject:
"For the United States, the primordial fear is Russian capital, Russian technology,
I mean German technology and German capital, Russian natural resources and Russian manpower as the only combination that has for centuries scared the hell out of the United States."
Sources:
1) International Business Times (26.2.2012):
http://www.ibtimes.com/wikileaks-reveal-e-mails-inside-private-shadow-cia-416500
2) Uaposition.com (5.4.2015):
http://uaposition.com/stratfor-founder-and-ceo-george-friedman-about-europe-ukraine-and-us-military-power/
17 July 2017
TRUMP'S TAX PROPOSAL WOULD INCREASE INEQUALITY
Probably quite predictably, President Trump's tax proposal is expected to increase the inequality in USA even more.
See the full article in The Guardian:
"Trump's tax proposal would push US below Greece on inequality index"
The Guardian 17.7.2017
Link:
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/17/trump-united-states-tax-reform-plan-greece-commitment-to-reducing-inequality-cri-index
See the full article in The Guardian:
"Trump's tax proposal would push US below Greece on inequality index"
The Guardian 17.7.2017
Link:
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/17/trump-united-states-tax-reform-plan-greece-commitment-to-reducing-inequality-cri-index
16 July 2017
UNITED NATIONS LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO COMBAT ATROCITIES
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has launched a new initiative Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes.
More information from UN News Centre:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57183#.WWvMZIiGPIU
More information from UN News Centre:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57183#.WWvMZIiGPIU
11 July 2017
THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IN THE WORLD
The international charity organization Oxfam reported at the beginning of this year that only eight men own the same amount of wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of the world population. (1)
Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2016 (2) listed the countries that have the biggest share of millionaires:
Number of dollar millionaires (% of world total) by country
COUNTRY
|
(%)
|
USA
|
41
|
Japan
|
9
|
United Kingdom
|
7
|
China
|
5
|
France
|
5
|
Germany
|
5
|
Australia
|
3
|
Canada
|
3
|
Italy
|
3
|
South Korea
|
2
|
Switzerland
|
2
|
Spain
|
1
|
Taiwan
|
1
|
Rest of the world
|
12
|
During this century, the number of millionaires has increased by 155 % and
the number of ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals has increased by 216 %. (Credit Suisse Wealth Report 2016, page 19) USA has had significantly larger amount of millionaires than any other country. However, the amount of "new millionaires" and UHNW individuals from emerging economies is rising fast.
Allianz Global Wealth Report 2015 (3) listed the countries that have biggest share of global personal wealth (financial assets):
COUNTRY
|
(%) 2015*
|
USA
|
41.60
|
China
|
10.48
|
Japan
|
8.89
|
UK
|
5.63
|
Germany
|
3.85
|
France
|
3.45
|
Canada
|
3.00
|
Italy
|
2.90
|
Australia
|
1.98
|
South Korea
|
1.60
|
*2015: Gross
financial assets / Global share in %
USA has had significantly larger share of global personal wealth than any other country. However, for example China's share has risen from 4.13 % in 2010
to 10.48 % in 2015. (3,4)
Allianz has also calculated Gini coefficient of wealth distribution. The higher the Gini coefficient is, the greater the inequality of wealth distribution is in a certain country. Here are some figures from Allianz Global Wealth Report 2016 (5):
Gini coefficient of wealth distribution (in %)
Ten most unequal countries (of 53
selected countries):
USA
|
0.81
|
Sweden
|
0.79
|
South Africa
|
0.78
|
United Kingdom
|
0.75
|
Indonesia
|
0.74
|
Austria
|
0.73
|
Brazil
|
0.73
|
Chile
|
0.73
|
Colombia
|
0.73
|
Germany
|
0.73
|
Ten most equal countries (of 53 selected
countries):
Australia, Belgium and Italy
|
0.59
|
Norway
|
0.57
|
Spain
|
0.56
|
Greece
|
0.55
|
Japan
|
0.55
|
Ireland
|
0.54
|
Slovenia
|
0.53
|
South Korea
|
0.53
|
China
|
0.52
|
Slovakia
|
0.44
|
The distribution of wealth is most unequal in USA and most equal in Slovakia. Inequality has increased in the world's traditional industrialized countries.
The countries with an improved Gini coefficient (i.e. greater equality) tend to be emerging markets. (Allianz Global Wealth Report 2016, page 47)
Sources:
1) Oxfam press release 16.1.2017:
https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2017-01-16/just-8-men-own-same-wealth-half-world
2) Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2016:
https://www.credit-suisse.com/ch/en/about-us/research/research-institute/publications.html
3) Allianz Global Wealth Report 2010:
http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/capital21c/xls/RawDataFiles/WealthReportsEtc/OtherWealthReports/AllianzGlobalWealthReport2010.pdf
4) Allianz Global Wealth Report 2015:
https://www.allianz.com/v_1444215837000/media/economic_research/publications/specials/en/AGWR2015_ENG.pdf
5) Allianz Global Wealth Report 2016:
https://www.allianz.com/v_1474281539000/media/economic_research/publications/specials/en/AGWR2016e.pdf
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